Coming from Africa and returning to Africa

The red and white bracelets come from the Inina Craft Agency in South Africa, an innovative group of women entrepreneurs. The income from making these bracelets provides critical support for these women, improving their lives and the lives of their children.

Special Projects Manager Claire Alexander, working with a group of enthusiastic students at the University of Guelph, inspired by our efforts to raise our first $1 million, created their own campaign with a commitment to raise $100,000 on campus. They came up with a brilliant idea. They found this cooperative of South African women and asked them to make 5,000 red and white beaded bracelets to sell on campus for a donation of $5 each. It was a stunning success.

The Inina Craft Agency is made up of almost 150 women producers lead by highly skilled and well-equipped management team. They produce and market a diverse and creative craft product range, export to Canada, attend trade fairs in Germany, communicate using Skype, allocate production tasks using SMS, host endless government delegations and, through it all, maintain a wonderful sense of grace and humour.

Your purchase of a Bracelet brings income and hope to these amazing women, as well as to tackling HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. THANK YOU!